Andrew Carter examines the most overrated and underrated coaches, players and teams in college football

College Football

December 16, 2008|By Andrew Carter, Sentinel Staff Writer

Some things in college football are worthy of the attention they receive. The cheerleaders at USC, for instance. The failures of Notre Dame Coach Charlie Weis, for another. Yes, even Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, perhaps the most hyped college football player ever, has lived up to his billing as a once-in-a-generation talent.

Yet other things are often overlooked, or receive too much attention. The supposed genius of Bob Stoops, for instance. The success of Wake Forest Coach Jim Grobe, for another. With that in mind, we present a comprehensive look at the most overrated and underrated coaches, players and teams in college football.

COACHES

Underrated

Jim Grobe, Wake Forest

Wake Forest had been one of college football's laughingstocks before Grobe arrived. Since, the Demon Deacons have been perhaps the most consistently good team in the ACC. They won the league in 2006 and played in the Orange Bowl. Grobe has received accolades in recent years, but he's still probably underappreciated nationally.

Overrated

Bob Stoops, Oklahoma

Yes, Stoops' Sooners won the national championship in 2000. Yes, his teams have won 11 or more games in 8 of his 10 seasons at OU. But given the talent -- 5 Sooners have finished in the top 7 of the Heisman voting under Stoops -- this is a program that should have accomplished more. How is it that Stoops hasn't managed to win a national title since his 2nd season?

PLAYERS

Underrated

Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech

He's far and away the best receiver in college football, and arguably is the most talented player in the talent-rich Big 12. Yet it's the quarterbacks in that league who receive all the attention. Anyone who saw Crabtree's game-winning touchdown catch-and-run vs. Texas should understand why this guy deserves more appreciation.

Overrated

Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame

It's difficult to rag too much on Clausen given that he plays for perhaps the worst college football coach in America. Even so, you had to expect more from Clausen, the former No. 1 QB prospect in the country who arrogantly showed up in a limo when he announced that he was going to play for the Fighting Irish. If you're going to act like that, you'd better deliver.

TEAMS

Underrated

Georgia Tech

Who needs a passing game? Not the Yellow Jackets, who punished teams all season with their vaunted triple-option offense. In Coach Paul Johnson's first season, Georgia Tech averaged 282.3 rushing yards per game -- third-best in the nation. The Yellow Jackets were the surprise team of the ACC and then, for good measure, they ended the season with a victory against Georgia.

Overrated

Ohio State

Pick a season, any season, and there's a good chance that Ohio State is overrated. And so it is again in 2008. The Buckeyes entered the season with national championship aspirations and then were embarrassed 35-3 against USC. Then, against the next-best opponent, they did nothing again in a 13-6 loss to Penn State. The Buckeyes are good at beating average and decently-good Big Ten teams, but they're bad at everything else.